Our business went through many guises before emerging as the modern international property company we are today.
THE LAND AND THE FAMILY
Grosvenor’s history began with the marriage of Mary Davies and Sir Thomas Grosvenor in 1677. Mary had inherited 500 acres of land north of the Thames to the west of the City of London. Sir Thomas was the descendant of a family which traces its roots back to William the Conqueror.
THE LONDON ESTATE
Mary Davies’ landholding remained largely untouched by the Grosvenors until the 1720s, when they developed the northern part - now known as Mayfair – around Grosvenor Square. A few generations later, in the 1820s, their focus moved south - to what is now Belgravia - developing Eaton Square, Chester Square and other famous addresses. Later in the 19th century, the area of Pimlico was developed; this was sold in 1953. The Grosvenor family progressively incorporated the London properties in the 20th century and the London estate is now managed within Grosvenor Britain & Ireland.
INTERNATIONAL DIVERSIFICATION
We have been managing land in Mayfair and Belgravia since 1677 and from a dedicated London office since 1836. For the past 40 years Grosvenor Britain & Ireland have also had assets elsewhere in the UK - hence our office in Edinburgh, opened in 1987.
North America was the location of Grosvenor's first international projects: we have been active here for nearly 60 years. We have had an office in Vancouver since 1953, in San Francisco since 1977, in Washington since 1988 and in Calgary - with one small gap - since 1997.
Our knowledge of the Asia Pacific market stretches back nearly 20 years and we have had offices in Hong Kong since 1994, in Tokyo since 2001, in Shanghai since 2004 and in Beijing since 2010.
Our fund management business operates from offices in Australia, China, France, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, the UK and the US.
SHAREHOLDERS
Grosvenor is privately owned. The Shareholders are the Trustees of the Grosvenor Estate who hold the shares and assets 'in trust' for the benefit of current and future members of the Grosvenor family.
GROSVENOR ESTATE
Grosvenor is one of several businesses in the Grosvenor Estate portfolio. To find out more visit the Grosvenor Estate website.